KenmoreGal2

I need to cut 10 fat quarters into 4 inch squares. There should be 20 squares per FQ. There are 10 different fabrics which I will need to keep separated when I'm done.

How would you do this? Would you stack the fat quarters and cut more than one at a time? That means I'd have to separate the fabrics into piles after cutting.

Or would you fold individual fq's and cut them that way? If this way, what's the best way to fold it?

Thanks!

ManiacQuilter2

I would careful cut one fat quarter at a time. You don't want to make a mistake. I would press the fat quarter in half so you have 9" x 20"+ piece to cut.

ragamuffin

I am doing a quilt with lots of small pieces. I took a tray from the kitchen and laid a piece of plain fabric on it and then put all the patches in alphabetical order on the tray. It was so easy to move the tray around, even to the machine ready to sew. I would cut the selvage off each fat quarter and cut each one, marking the top or right side of the fabric, keeping them in the grain order too because some fabric leaves a shade if you turn it. I used sticky notes but maybe you could use pins to mark the top for the grainline. Happy cutting!

KenmoreGal2

Thanks maniacquilter and ragamuffin. I'm just making wine glass coasters so I don't have to go to the lengths you do ragamuffin. That sounds mighty complicated but you've worked out a great system! I'll remember your ideas.

MadQuilter

I would fold each FQ in half (either direction) and trim the cut edge. Then cut 4" strips and subcut them into 4" squares.

KenmoreGal2

Yes, I think that is the way to do it. Thanks!

NJ Quilter

Considering what you are doing, I'd probably go with Madquilter's way as well. No need for precision. For precision, I'd be cutting one FQ at a time because I just can't seem to manage stacked fabric. I have enough issues with a piece folded once!

KenmoreGal2

Interesting NJ Quilter. So if precision mattered, you would not even fold the fat quarter and cut a stack of 2 pieces of fabric (one FQ doubled)? You'd cut each one individually?

Cari-in-Oly

KG2, when I have to cut a ton of the same thing (think - Bonnie Hunter mystery) I layer my fabrics and cut strips, then subcut the needed squares. I've cut as many as 4 layers at a time, it all depends on what size cutter you have and how sharp your blade is. If you cut one FQ at a time, it'll take forever.

Cari

KenmoreGal2

Thanks for all the advice! I had a beautiful collection of FQ's and this is my first time cutting them. I folded one in half last night and cut my squares as suggested. Pretty easy. I can see now that I have extra fabric on both sides and the top and bottom. So I may try Cari's suggestion of cutting 2 FQ's at once today, just for speed, since I have the wiggle room. This project does not require much precision fortunately.